However, no doubt they will be able to do so before long."
"Well, if I were you I would put a pair of pistols into my holster,
Bathurst; it would be awfully awkward if you came across the beast."
"I never carry firearms," the young man said shortly; and then
more lightly, "I am a peaceful man by profession, as you are, Mr.
Hunter, and I leave firearms to those whose profession it is to
use them. I have hitherto never met with an occasion when I needed
them, and am not likely to do so. I always carry this heavy hunting
whip, which I find useful sometimes, when the village dogs rush
out and pretend that they are going to attack me; and I fancy that
even an Oude swordsman would think twice before attacking me when
I had it in my hand. But, of course, there is no fear about the
tiger. I generally ride pretty fast; and even if he were lying by
the roadside waiting for a meal, I don't think he would be likely
to interfere with me."
So saying, he lightly touched the horse's flanks with his spurs
and cantered off.
"He's a fine young fellow, Garnet," Mr. Hunter said to his companion;
"full of energy, and, they say, the very best linguist in Oude."
"Yes, he is all that," the other agreed; "but he is a sort
of fellow one does not quite understand. I like a man who is like
other fellows; Bathurst isn't. He doesn't shoot, he doesn't ride
--I mean he don't care for pig sticking; he never goes in for any
fun there may be on hand; he just works--nothing else; he does
not seem to mix with other people; he is the sort of fellow one
would say had got some sort of secret connected with him.
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